Dressing up!!

 

It's that time of the year again!!

Carnivals are taking place all over Spain;parade after parade!
Where ever you go in the city you can see fairies,hobbits ,witches, pink policemen,fruits and a variety of animals as they dance and chatter happily off down to the city centre to parade and show off their fancy dress.
 I continue to be amazed at the vast imagination that some people have to create their own fancy dresses....awesome!!!

It is a happy time!!You can practically feel the enthusiasm in the city;for many,many people a release momentarily from stress and social restrictions over a few days full of music and fun!



A WIN!!!!    I have been very lucky this month and for the very first time I have won a giveaway on facebook!!!

 The prize ......YARN ,a clover pom pom maker,some markers and a crochet hook.  Wonderful for a crochet addict like me!  All these lovelies were part of the generous giveaway from Jenny on The Woolly Hook  .    Jenny is very talented! I adore the combination of colours that she uses.
She makes and sells some really gorgeous and varied crochet baby clothing from her Facebook page.

Look Drops Merino yarn!   It is soooo soft!!!

 

I have never used a pom pom maker before. I think I'll have a pom pom making session with my grand-daughter soon.  I'm sure she'll work out how it works in a jiffy!!!

Here you have one of my latest makes which is for my niece's next baby, due in May. It is my own pattern using a very popular stitch that made it easy and quick  to make. The Hooded blanket is 30 x 30cm in size.The rosebuds at the top of the hood are made using Nº 5 perle cotton and the rest of the blanket is in Aran yarn using a 5.00 hook. I am pleased to say it is a total stash buster using up odds of Aran yarn I had left over from other makes.

I think Pooh Bear approves...he is smiling!!

These photographs were taken during our Sunday morning walk yesterday. It was still very windy there but the icy cold had gone and it was quite warm in the sun.

Looking towards the Albufereta beach (Benidorm is that-away ....about 40 minutes by car!!!)

Looking towards Alicante City

Keep well!

Amanda :-)

blowin in the wind

“The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind, The answer is blowin' in the wind”

(Bob Dylan ...of course)

and it is all about the weather this weekend because it is blowing a gale out there!!! Practically all of Spain has been hit by Gale winds some areas like Galicia heavy snow. Snow!!! Never here sometimes up on the mountains.   This Alicante....tch!!! It is beautiful outside sunny and blue skies but that wind is sooo cold!!!

Just to give you an idea just how gusty it is out there these snapshots are from the local newspaper.

Two lorries blown over yesterday on the Carresqueta motorway in the mountains near Alcoy,Alicante province.

Along the Carresqueta motorway in the mountains on the way to Alcoy 

 and we won't be going for a walk along the beach today either.

Early this morning. 

The weather is gloomy but lets go on to nicer things. 

My Grand-daughter Cookie has been complaining that her feet get so cold during the hours she has to sit and do her homework!!!   I do tell her that every so often she should get up and move about because I think part of the problem is circulation. I thought that a small hot water bottle under her feet would help. Would you believe it but it is no easy matter buying a hot water bottle here!! There is just no demand for them. Nevertheless her YiYo (that's Grandpa in Spanish) finally found one! A nice small one just right for under or between her feet and which I've already tried out and found it stayed warm for about 2 hours...not bad I thought.  However as I it was a bit dull looking I decided to crochet a bright hottie cover.  

 I think I can say this is my own pattern although I have been inspired by many crocheter's Hottie covers that I saw on Pinterest and Raverly. They gave me some orientation.  The heart pattern is not my own but from Bella_dia  the edging is mine.  The letter R pattern I found on the Moogly blog ; a free download of all the alphabet.The ring idea is mine! :-) 

I used Katia Planet variegated yarn and a 4.00 hook and some leftover pink yarn.

I'm off now to brave the elements and blow the cobwebs away!!

Keep well

Amanda

12 hour void!!!

Do you know what it is like to have a strange empty feeling coursing through your body? A feeling of a void  in time...hands twitching to grab my crochet hook !!!
When I finished this little bonnet for my great niece it dawned on me I had absolutely no other  "make" to complete or project in mind!!!!  

After 12 hours of flittering through Pinterest, Raverly,Google and feeling totally woebegone (just love that word...I wonder if we have Will Shakespeare to thank for it), my sanity was saved by Facebook and a message that came through from my niece with the wonderful news that she is expecting her second child and her babe is another girl!!!!
I so feel "me" again and have another crochet project on the go!!!!   Life is good!!!! :-)

A definite stash buster!!!  This little bonnet for a 1 year old  is based on the pattern from Susan at petitepurls but as we crocheters do it has been tweaked generously by yours truly to adapt it to what I had in mind.  As I said it is a stash buster so it is made up of bits of worsted yarn and I used a  4.00 hook

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I have been lagging behind as usual and I had plans to post these photos last Sunday after our walk. It wasn't to be so I am including them now.
Such a beautiful morning!

This is the oldest park in Alicante.

It was built to commemorate a 19th century local politician,  Jose Canalejas who was known as the Protector of Alicante. Thanks to him the port is as you can see it in these photographs,it was just a measly harbour before.  However what really draws me to Canalejas park are the gigantic centenary ficus trees . They are magnificent!!!

Parque Canalejas

Santa Barbara Castle and the old Customs and Excise offices

Happy Sunday to all!!!

Amanda :-)

We can't put the sparkle away yet!

2015

Happy New Year to you all !!!!!

Here's wishing you ALL a  bright New Year filled with peace,joy,health and happiness!

The jacket throw  is finally finished...completed...finito!!! Phew!!!  I think it cheers the room up a great deal! However a certain person in this household could have kept his opinion to himself ....grannyfied indeed!!!! Much more suitable for a country cottage indeed!!!! grr!!!!!!

I expect a lot of you have now put your Christmas decorations away but I can't do that yet. We still have the Kings night to celebrate on 5th January and the Kings day on 6th January (Epiphany). Another bundle of gifts are given out, that or coal if people have been naughty.
Personally I can think of quite a few people in high places here in Spain who should receive coal from the three Kings and not gifts!!!!

El dia de los Reyes (The three Kings Day) is virtually as important as Christmas itself in Spain, especially for kiddies, as this is the day when they traditionally get their presents. Nowadays though more and more young parents celebrate 24th December and Father Christmas who brings the majority of the presents and a little something is left for the Kings night! However the Kings parade on the night of 5th is quite something to see, when the three kings arrive by camel  and lead their procession through the streets, throwing sweets to the children.

The King's arriving in Muchamiel Alicante 2014

The King's parade Alicante 2014

 When the children return to their homes they leave their shoes out  or the Kings to fill, not stockings ....mind you more than one clever tot leaves out Daddy's boots. The next morning, the children wake up to find their presents have been left overnight !
I remember when I first came to Spain in the 70s my husband's family kept to the old tradition. Christmas Day was a day spent with the family but no visit from Father Christmas or presents under the tree. The presents were all delivered by the Kings on the 6th January. This was very strange to me and it took me awhile to adjust. Once we had our own house we decided we would respect and enjoy both of our Christmas traditions,so I got my typical Christmas Day and Sr P continued to have his Kings Day. We have continued to do this and my daughter does the same. There has been some general talk of eliminating the King's Day but that has been met with a lot of opposition,I am pleased to say. The  King's Day is an important part of this culture and I don't think it should be wiped out.


As I said another round of gifts and this neck warmer is what  I have made for my daughter to add to the gifts from the Kings.

 The weather in Alicante is deceiving !
During the day it can be really nice but the temperature drops drastically when the sun goes down. My daughter finishes work at 8 or 9:00pm so she will appreciate the warmth of this neck warmer at night.
I used Katia Inca super chunky yarn 53 % wool and 47% acrylic and a 8.00 hook. It was a delight to use and I made this in a jiffy. Those lovely big crimson buttons from my button hoard.

It is cold this evening and a sea mist has swept inland so it is quite damp and foggy out there.  I think a nice hot cuppa tea and some dunking biscuits will just do me right for supper!  

Keep well

Amanda :-)

All I want for Christmas is .....some time with my family!

It is here!


I have just finished marking exam papers and tomorrow is Christmas Eve...yes I know you know that but I have to remind myself that it is actually tomorrow. It has crept up on me so very fast!

Tomorrow it is going to be a crazy,crazy day for me as I have to do my Christmas shopping,wrapping presents and baking some English goodies to take to my sister-in-law's villa for the big family meal.
They do so like the English cakes!
They have this funny idea that I am a fantastic cook because I make these yummy cakes. If only they knew the truth ...I am quite mediocre where cooking is concerned . Anyhow tomorrow I'll be making a baked cheesecake with a fresh fruit topping and I thought as Lucy's at Attic24 Super Smartie cookies were so successful when I tried them out in August I'd do some of those for the kiddies.

Now I am going to straight away wish you all a very very Merry Christmas and a fantastic time with your family but this time instead of posting the usual Christmas image I thought you'd like to see these gorgeous photos of Misty my sister's toy poodle in her Christmas bonnet which I sent her last week. Would you believe it my guess work paid off and it actually fitted her !!!!!!

Even the ear slits were the right size!!!

I like this one best she looks so sweet!!!   Billy the Labrador doesn't want to look at her in case he has to put a Christmas bonnet on as well!!!  Ha! Ha!

 

 

MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS  

 and as I always say 

for those of you who do not hold these same beliefs.... no matter ......because I believe to wish someone Merry Christmas is synonymous of wishing you peace and happiness. 

 

May this be so dear bloggers ,
 

PEACE AND HAPPINESS,MERRY CHRISTMAS,

Feliz Navidad, 

 Bon Nadal, , Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar, Joyeux Noël, Froehliche Weihnachten, Shub Naya Baras,  Nollaig Shona Dhuit, Buone Feste Natalizie, Feliz Natal, Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun and Nadolig Llawen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amanda :-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salvaging or don't leave me I am still a presence in blogland

 Nigh on a month without posting on my blog....sigh!!!  where did that month go!!!!!!


Many thanks to all for your encouraging remarks on my last post.
I did finally get the jacket out of the cupboard and frogged it down to the 62 squares. As you can see I converted it into a throw. It will be  for my grand-daughter for her siestas. She sometimes has a little nap after finishing her homework and often wakes up cold so she'll be able to use this to cover herself with.
 I made up some more bobble squares as I liked those very much and joined the lot together with the invisible stitch.  I made up a bobble edging too although it is not finished as yet ..... it still needs THE finishing touch and blocking.

In answer to a few queries in a previous post:
Linda ( Linda's crafty corner)      I found this pattern from Sara Palacios to make the diamond triangle square. You can download the pattern from here http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simple-diamond-in-square
Gracie (grayseasailor)  the bobble square pattern comes from this book

I also found a pattern for a Christmas bonnet at Amidorable Crochet and felt a tremendous urge to make one for Misty,my sister's Toy poodle:

I can't wait to see it on her. I am hoping my sister will send me photos soon.


I have also been very lucky to win Susan's at My Mother's Apron Strings monthly Apron giveaway for November . It is the most gorgeous apron and just look at the colours.  Doesn't it just go with my kitchen colour scheme ??
Thank you so much Susan.

That is all for the moment dear bloggers!  

Amanda :-)

Big Tease reveal & BIG Let down!!!!

I am not amused!!!!

This is difficult for me to say after all my teasing but....
my wonderful,wonderful unknown make is a horrendous disaster and a BIG disappointment.

I felt so inspired and I imagined it was going to be such a fabulous make too. It is a disaster and looks like a sack. ... so disappointing!!!

Zelna's coat  not mine!

My project was a Granny square jacket and I received my inspiration from Zelna's pattern here on ZootyOwls blog . Zelna offers a free pattern and although I had other ideas for colours and square design I kept to the pattern,hooks,type of yarn and size of squares religiously for the jacket size that I wanted.

My idea was a big stash buster but when I got to attaching the first sleeve to the body and back and then trying it on well..... what can I say except it looked flipping awful!!!
I'm afraid I don't even want to show you my effort...it is rubbish!!!   The image here is as it should have been!!!

At present I have just thrown it in a cupboard I am that annoyed!







Well done though Steph from Show and Tell and Meredith  from Mereknits as they guessed correctly:

Meredith commented "How about a granny jacket?"
and Steph said " Are you making an Amazing technicolour dream coat!" .

Apologies to all who have been waiting for the great reveal and only got a BIG let down!!!!  )-:

Amanda 

Cheeky Monkeys

Too true!!!   I had a couple of cheeky monkeys in my household last Saturday!!!

November 1st was   Dia de todo los santos (All Saints Day) I told my daughter and grand-daughter to come over for lunch.   While I was preparing the meal ...Roast Chicken Amanda Style.....it is a favourite ....I heard a certain amount of giggling coming from my study. I found both of the girls there;,Mother and daughter,rifling through the goodies that Ellie from Feltabulous had sent me. Understandably I told them to keep their hands off !! However we had some more giggling and smirking at the dinner table too and it wasn't until after lunch that I finally realized that those two cheeky monkeys had not come away from the study empty handed.

As you can see from photos taken at the time:

My daughter took a liking to one of Ellie's bracelets! Thank goodness it wasn't the orange one as I particularly like that one and there would have been words said!!!
 AND

 My grand-daughter Cookie Baby took a liking to the earrings. In fact the photo does not do them justice they are much brighter and prettier than what you see here.

I have to admit they really suit her!!!    Ahhhh! She'll be 14 at the end of this month!! Time so whizzes by...sigh!!!
I have now stored all the rest of Ellie's goodies away so no cheeky monkeys can decide to go back and have another rummage.

They were still in the mood for more cheekiness and they decided to mess around with my granny squares ...now silly girls they know not to mess with my crochet so I just had to wip them all up and keep them away from their grubby mitts!!!
They had the last word though as they caught me doing it!

By the way I'm down to the last 10 squares and have begun joining the GSs together!!    I am sorry I'll have to keep you guessing for awhile longer as it is going to take me some time to join it all together and then I want to add some overlay crochet to it and some pompoms!!!

Now where were we ...

• poncho
• hippy pants
• table runner
• cushion covers
• sofa cover
• bag
• shawl
• wall hanging
• chair cover   all these were the guesses mentioned in my last post and the following are the latest ones.
• granny jacket
• outfit;skirt and top
• beanbag
• bunting flags
• cardigan
• dream coat
• yarn bombing project    

How about that then!  Isn't it amazing the inspiration and creativity of bloggers!!!
 I heart blogging!!!!

If you remember I mentioned in my last post here that I was going to tell you about a parcel I received from the USA.
Well Sharon from ... From my front porch and I have had a little personal swap and she has sent me another two of these gorgeous candles that I liked so much. Maple butter ...mmmm I just love the smell! Nice large candles too in glass tubs. It is a miracle they arrived all in one piece and all the way from Morristown Tennessee....in the USA!
Sharon also sent me a lovely crocheted washcloth which I can't show you because it is in the wash. I use it you see!!!  :-)  

Here's one of the reasons I just don't want to let go of blogging...the incredible great contacts I have made. It isn't just about what one receives either...it is ...the thought that goes into it.Thank you Sharon!!!

12th November
As you will see my post was dated 1st November and now its 12th November ...sigh!!!  It has taken me that long to get back here to be able to finish my post...tch!!    That is the way the cookie crumbles though I can only do what I can and when I can !  :-)

keep well

Amanda :-)